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Coast to Coast: Sharjah to Al Aqah

Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesRoad

Route contributed by Marcus · Last ridden Friday 20th November 2020

216 km
Distance
1,117 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
Wadi Buraq Dam
Photo: Jsundar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Elevation profile

Total ascent
1,117 m
Distance
216 km
0100200300400500600m0 km50100150216 km485 m · highest, at 100.7 kmStartFinish

Route overview

Suitable for riders comfortable with long distance (216 km) and moderate climbing (968 m).

Cycle 216 km from Sharjah to Al Aqah through the Hajar Mountains in the UAE with 968 m climbing.

Starting from Sharjah, the route heads through multiple suburbs including Al Mamzar, Al Nahda, and Al Khan before moving towards Al Majaz and Al Jubail. The road surface is 97% paved, with a mixture of motorways (46%), major roads (28%), and some quiet streets and minor roads. The route features the Sharjah - Kalba Road for 55 km and Maleha Road for 38.2 km. Climbing begins around 90.5 km with two moderate climbs reaching elevations of 366 m and 471 m respectively, averaging gradients of 2.6-2.9%. The profile includes 8% climbing and 10% descending, with some steep sections over 5% totaling 2.4 km. The highest point is 487 m at 99.8 km. There is a long descent of 6.6 km dropping 169 m from 100.8 km. Food and drink options are available early on within 20 km and later at 150.4 km and 161.1 km. Shops and supermarkets appear at various points like 7.1 km, 13.3 km, and 153.1 km. There is a 56.5 km stretch with no café, shop, or water between 91.1 km and 147.6 km. Several petrol stations and bike shops also lie along the route. The finish at Al Aqah offers restaurants and fast food options.

Highlights

  • Hajar Mountains region
  • Climbs between 90.5 km and 99.5 km
  • Sharjah - Kalba Road for 55 km
  • Long 6.6 km descent from 100.8 km

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Al Nahda 2.3 km
  2. Al Khan 7.6 km
  3. Al Khalidiyah 11.2 km
  4. Al Layyah 12 km
  5. Al Majaz 15.1 km
  6. Al Jubail 17.6 km
  7. Al Gharb 18 km
  8. Al Soor 18 km
  9. Al Qasimia 18.6 km
  10. Oud Al Muteena 29 km
  11. Al Mizhar 3 30.9 km
  12. Al Badaia 40.4 km
  13. Al Ttay 40.4 km
  14. Qatah 50.4 km
  15. Milehah 76.1 km
  16. Munay 111.3 km
  17. Al Qilē'ī 117.3 km
  18. Minazif 118.2 km
  19. Wahala 136.1 km
  20. Al ‘Ayn al Ghumūr 142.4 km
  21. Al Saaf 151.5 km
  22. Al Ghail 151.5 km
  23. Al Maqt'a 153.5 km
  24. Al Quala'a 155.6 km
  25. Khawr Kalba 155.6 km
  26. Al Mafraq 156 km
  27. Al Nighala 156 km
  28. Al Bardi 157.1 km
  29. Al Aoud 157.1 km
  30. Kalba 157.1 km
  31. Al Sidrah 157.5 km
  32. Al Bateen 157.5 km
  33. Al Qadesia 157.5 km
  34. Hitteen 158.4 km
  35. Al Musalla 158.4 km
  36. Al Khuwair 158.4 km
  37. Dhyatt 159 km
  38. Al Mughaider 159.5 km
  39. Al Mahatta 159.5 km
  40. Al Bhaies 160 km
  41. A'quola 160 km
  42. Darweshia 160.5 km
  43. Al Husen 160.5 km
  44. Suhaila 160.9 km
  45. Sour Kalba 161.8 km
  46. Rughaylat 163.1 km
  47. Al Gurfaa 164.5 km
  48. Ghalala 165.5 km
  49. Safad 165.5 km
  50. Owaid 166.3 km
  51. Al Faseel 167.2 km
  52. Al Sharia 169.1 km
  53. Al Sharia 1 169.1 km
  54. Al Hilal 169.9 km
  55. Sakamkam 169.9 km
  56. Ishwais 171.2 km
  57. Qurayyah 180.8 km
  58. Sha'biyyāt Qirat 182 km
  59. Mirbah 182.3 km
  60. Madha 183.6 km
  61. Al Qadsia 190 km
  62. Al Yarmouk 190.3 km
  63. Al Burdi 190.8 km
  64. Al Khaledya 192.4 km
  65. Al Hutain 194 km
  66. Al Rifa'a 194 km
  67. Khor Fakkan 194 km
  68. Al Hayawah 194.5 km
  69. Al Mudaifi 194.9 km
  70. Lulayyah 198.7 km
  71. Zubarah 200 km
  72. Al Badīyah 203.5 km
  73. Nehay 204.4 km
  74. Haqil 204.7 km
  75. Sharm 207.2 km
  76. Al Aqqah 210.9 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—90.5 km3.4 km99 m2.9 %4.7 %366 m
—95.7 km3.8 km97 m2.6 %5.1 %471 m

High point 487 m at 99.8 km; low point 0 m.

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
46% motorway · 28% major road · 13% main road · 5% quiet street
Main roads
185.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
117.6 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
Sharjah - Kalba Road (55 km), Maleha Road (38 km), Port Road (9 km), Corniche Road (7 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
8% climbing · 10% descending · 82% flat
Steep sections
2.4 km over 5% · 0.8 km over 8% · 0.7 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 10.1% at 125.4 km
Longest descent
6.6 km from 100.8 km, dropping 169 m

Along the way

Within a few hundred metres of the track, from OpenStreetMap. Opening hours change — treat this as where to look, not a promise.

Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 57 km, from 91 km to 148 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 7.1 kmSharjah Coop · supermarket · 40 m off route
  2. 8.9 kmAlpha Pharmacy · pharmacy · 100 m off route
  3. 13.3 kmIstanbul · supermarket · 120 m off route
  4. 15.2 kmToilets · 130 m off route
  5. 18.6 kmAl Mudheef Al Jadeed · café · on the route
  6. 19.1 kmAl Shamikh · bike shop · 110 m off route
  7. 29.5 kmNesto Hypermarket · supermarket · 80 m off route
  8. 59.2 kmAl Muntather · café · 150 m off route
  9. 76.2 kmAl Meliha Health Centre Sharjah · clinic · 130 m off route
  10. 77.6 kmAin Alseeh Cafe · café · 80 m off route
  11. 104.4 kmToilets · on the route
  12. 150.4 kmToilets · on the route
  13. 161.1 kmTamm Cafe · café · 50 m off route
  14. 164.1 kmToilets · 70 m off route
  15. 166.9 kmSingle Origin · café · 70 m off route
  16. 169.6 kmENOC · petrol station · 100 m off route
  17. 186.3 kmAl Madha Petrol · petrol station · 120 m off route
  18. 196 kmPizza Hut · restaurant · 40 m off route

Need to bail out?

  • 170.5 km — Fujairah Station (station), 560 m off route

Whether bikes are carried depends on the service — check before relying on it.

Worth a stop

  • 5 km — Ali Bin Rashid Square (castle)
  • 34.1 km — Sheikha naama (viewpoint)
  • 136.2 km — Wahla Fort (castle)
  • 147.6 km — Wildlife observation (viewpoint)
  • 160.6 km — Kalba Fort (castle)
  • 164.1 km — Bull fighting (Bullring) (attraction)

At the finish

  • estacoza seafood · restaurant · 240 m
  • Subway · fast food · 310 m
  • Sapore · restaurant · 260 m

Stay after this ride

  • Fujairah Rotana · hotel · 180 m from the finish
  • Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort · hotel · 180 m from the finish
  • InterContinental Fujairah Resort · hotel · 350 m from the finish
  • Naama · hotel · 870 m from the finish
  • Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort · hotel · 770 m from the finish

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Point to point
Riding time
7½–10½ hours riding
Season
November with 23-24 °C temperatures.
Best months
Dec to Mar — daily highs of 24–28 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • 56.5 km no café, shop or water from 91.1 km to 147.6 km
  • 185.3 km on main roads without cycle lane
  • 117.6 km on roads with 80 km/h+ limits

Routes are for inspiration. Roads, surfaces and conditions change — check locally and ride within your limits.

11 photographs from the road

Photo: Jsundar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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